Land for sale in

Land for Sale - Plots for Sale - Land for Sale UK from PropertySpy Home Land for Sale Land Portfolio Investing in Land TV Adverts Land News About Us Contact Us Land for sale in Saunderton I would like to view details of land for sale in UK TITLE Mr Mrs Ms Miss Dr FIRST NAME SURNAME EMAIL MOBILE HOUSE NO POSTCODE NOTES Are you interested in: Land investment or: Self-build The information is solely for the use of PropertySpy and will not be passed on to any third party. To browse our plots of Land for sale UK, please give your details. We will immediately e-mail you the particulars. If you would rather speak directly to one of our Team please telephone: 0845 1 244 277 Local call rates apply The PropertySpy Plc Group specialises in Land for sale in England. The Group is run by an experienced property team. PropertySpy listens carefully to customer needs and searches England for Land for sale of all types. These Plots of Land are then offered to you. Saunderton NEW! Our site is a few minutes walk from Saunderton Station offering a regular peak time service to London Marylebone and Birmingham Snow Hill. Lacey Green NEW! Lacey Green has largely become a residential village, from which most working members of the population commute to other destinations. We have a wide variety of land to choose from, with over 30 sites in 14 counties . Our sites are in prime locations, next to existing development with good rail and road links, and close to local amenities. For online particulars of the freehold land for sale in our portfolio, please register using the form on the right and we will immediately email you details. Alternatively, if you are looking for a plot for sale in a particular area, then call our Land sales team on 0845 1 244 277. It is widely reported that the price of freehold land for sale in the UK has increased significantly in recent years. Rural land prices rose by 30% in 2004 (RICS) and residential land prices have increased a staggering 8-fold over the past 20 years (Halifax). With these statistics it is hardly surprising plots for sale of greenbelt land are seen as a viable alternative to more traditional investments. Investors are snapping up land for sale that is available. A report from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors recently concluded, "More and more people are being turned on by land as an investment vehicle. These are not just downshifting city slickers but also those looking for a viable investment alternative to bricks and mortar or the stock market." Investing in PropertySpy Land has the advantage that there is currently neither VAT nor Stamp Duty to pay on your investment. In addition there are no rates to pay whilst the land remains undeveloped. There are solid benefits to buying land for sale. Land is a tangible asset - it's real and its supply is limited. The demand for land for sale, particularly in the Southeast, is soaring because of the chronic housing shortage. Large profits can be made from buying greenfield land, which then obtains planning permission. Planning permission, however, cannot be guaranteed on land. But such are the gains from buying this type of land for sale that the Government commissioned Barker Report concluded, "landowners and developers typically make windfall gains as a result of residential planning permission being granted, especially where this is on greenfield sites. These windfall or development gains result from the increase in land values, as land for housing is worth up to 300 times more than agricultural land." Prices of our plots for sale start at just £10,000. Plot sizes vary from an eighth to a quarter of an acre, which is sufficient to build a detached 3 or 4 bedroom family sized home subject to planning permission. So if you are looking for an investment, why not consider buying land for sale? You can contact PropertySpy direct on 0845 1 244 277 to discuss your interest in land. Please note that planning permission cannot be guaranteed. Top of Page - Print this Page - Contact Us - Home © PropertySpy Plc 2000 - 2005 Chaucer House, 4-6 Upper Marlborough Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3UR Telephone: 0845 1 244 277 Free DVD Offer NEW! Land Under £10,000 Flexi Plot Implementing Planning LandSpy Newsletter Value Plus Service Development Gains Land Purchasing Why use a Solicitor Land Buying Department Marking Your Plot Financial Advice Tax Information Land FAQ The greatest pressure on land is in the South East, the very region where help with affordability is most needed and where the average single plot costs 123,000... Evening Standard, 09/12/2005 Planners will be forced to allow the building of a third more new homes every year, with the building taking place in the parts of the country where house prices are the highest, the Government said yesterday... Daily Telegraph, 06/12/2005 The boss of Britain's biggest housebuilder wants 'scruffy' parts of the Green Belt torn up for housebuilding... Evening Standard, 29/11/2005

Real Estate Loan

Find Mortgage Calculators, Today's Rates on Mortgages, Refinance Loans and Home Equity Loans on Yahoo! Real Estate This tool will only function with browsers which support JavaScript version 1.1 or later. Find Mortgage Calculators, Today's Rates on Mortgages, Refinance Loans and Home Equity Loans Choose Location Home Homes For Sale Apartments for Rent Home Loans Moving & Insurance Tools My Real Estate Real Estate > Home Loans > Calculators > Mortgage Payment Calculator Tools & Resources • Mortgage Payment Calculator • Affordability Calculator • Amortization Calculator • Rent vs. Own Calculator • Refinance Calculator • First-Time Buyer's Guide to Mortgages Next Steps: • Search Local Rates • Online Rate Quotes • Graph Interest Rates • Refinance Loans & Rates • Home Equity Loans & Rates Mortgage Payment Calculator Provided by Bankrate.com This mortgage calculator shows monthly mortgage payments for different home loan amounts, interest rates and amortzation terms. You can view the amortization schedule by selecting to show the amortization table below. Loan Amount: $ Interest Rate: % Term (years): years Show Amortization Table?: Yes No See more calculators Visit our partners' sites Sponsored Links Home Refinancing ChoiceOne Mortgage offers a variety of home refinancing options. Fill out the quick app for a rate quote. www.choiceonemortgage.net Your Guide to Refinancing - Homestore Find information, articles and quotes for home refinance loans in your area. We have the loan that's right for you. Complete our easy form and get free, competitive quotes. homestore.com Home Mortgage Refinance Refinance your home mortgage to lower your payment now. Complete four easy steps and get matched to four qualified brokers. www.mortgages.root.net Capital One Home Refinance Lower your payments an avg. $400 a month. A personal home loan consultant will work with you to find a loan that fits your needs. Apply online and receive a call back within 30 minutes. www.capitalone.com (Become a Sponsor) Homes For Sale - Apartments For Rent - Current Mortgage Rates - Real Estate Agents - Local - Yellow Pages

Colorado real estate. If

Colorado Association of Real Estate Investors Home Page Membership Benefits Upcoming M eetings & Events Promote Your Business Hot R eal Estate Topics! Recommended Vendors Real Estate Classifieds Member Area & Discussion Group FREE NEWSLETTER Email: We value your privacy and do not give out your information Read About CAREI in Investors Business Daily! The Truth About Financial Freedom Financial Freedom . You see those words everywhere. They are used to promote every investment imaginable. But can you trust the source of the information? The reason the Colorado Association of Real Estate Investors has become so successful is because our members - people just like you - have become tremendously successful. That is why we are known as the trusted source for investment knowledge on Colorado real estate. If a close friend of yours or a wealthy person referred you to our site, you probably already know this fact: real estate has created more millionaires and multi-millionaires than all other investments combined. We are not here to sell you on real estate; there are many other sites which do that. We assume you already know that real estate is the ultimate investment . What we do on this site and when our Members meet is show you how to invest in real estate intelligently and show you how to outperform the vast majority of all other investors. Investors say that what makes the Colorado Association of Real Estate Investors so unique is that we show our Members how to make money in changing markets. Whether real estate goes up, goes down or even if it stays flat, our Members learn how to make massive profits. Save your time and energy--don’t reinvent the wheel. Many small real estate investors go through the school of hard knocks. Why bother? If you want to be successful at something, find out what other successful people do, emulate their strategies, and you will have similar results. I've made tens of thousands of dollars from the contacts I've made through the Colorado Association of Real Estate Investors. I can't think of any better resource for finding deals, partners, money or referrals." - Bruce Kapp, Investor, Denver, CO The Colorado Assocation of Real Estate Investors was formed in 1994 as a networking and educational group for people interested in using real estate as a vehicle for creating short or long-term wealth. We currently have more than 800 members from all over Colorado. We welcome people from all professions and occupations, full-time or part-time, beginner or experienced. Our focus is on how to acquire residential real estate at a substantial discount or using creative, "nothing-down" techniques. Meetings & Events We have two to three meetings each month to help support your investing success. We generally meet the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast near I-225/Parker Rd in South Aurora. Attendance at our generally meetings is about 300 to 400 people. For detailed information about our various monthly meetings, view our the "Meetings & Events" calendar above. "I just wanted to say how much excellent information I received at the last CAREI meeting" - Elizabeth Blackwood, Colorado Springs We feature both local and nationally recognized experts on a variety of topics, such as... Getting Started as an investor Foreclosures "Nothing Down" Purchases "Flipping" Properties Refurbishing & Rehabbing Lease/Options & Lease/Purchase Finding Bargain Properties Writing Contract Offers Creative Financing Techniques Marketing to Find Motivated Sellers Buying Discounted Notes & Mortgages Mobile Homes & Mobile Home Parks 1031 Exchanges & Other Tax Issues Landlording & Property Management Using Self-Directed IRAs to Buy Real Estate Lawsuit Protection & Other Legal Issues How to find money for deals Listen to sample audio from a recent meeting... Guests are welcome to attend our meeting at a charge of $20.00, which can be applied toward membership when you apply the evening of the meeting. No advance registration is required. Meetings start at 7:00 PM and usually last about 2 hours. We also feature members-only meetings on various Saturdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 PM. This meeting is generally held at the Radisson Hotel Denver Southeast (I-225 & Parker). We are also sponsoring a Tuesday evening meeting in Colorado Springs at the Academy Hotel off I-25 & Academy Blvd. Read our events calendar to find out more information on members' meetings. FREE AUDIO CD! Starting in Real Estate Seminar Upcoming Meetings Colorado Association of Real Estate Investors | 300 S. Jackson Street | Suite 100 | Denver, CO 80209 Tel (303) 398-7035 | Fax (303) 671-0516 | e-mail info@carei.com

Home Equity Loans &

Wachovia Texas Home Equity Loan Home | Customer Service | Contact Us | Locations Search Tips Personal Finance Wealth Management Small Business Corporate & Institutional Home Personal Finance Lending Center Home Equity Loans & Lines Home Equity Loans Texas Only Online Services Center Banking Center Investing Center Retirement Center Lending Center Mortgage Loans Home Equity Loans & Lines Home Equity Loans Texas Only All Other States Prime Equity Lines of Credit Comparison Charts Education Loans Credit Cards Vehicle Loans Secured Personal Loans Insurance Center Planning Guides Customer Service T EXAS H OME E QUITY L OAN Check Current Home Equity Rates   Home equity loans are used when you want to borrow a specific dollar amount against the equity in your home, and are available on both homestead and non-homestead properties. A homestead property is generally considered your primary residence in Texas. A non-homestead property is typically a second/vacation home, or a rental/investment property.  The money can be used for a variety of purposes, such as refinancing, home improvements, debt consolidation 1 , vacations, and more.   Why a home equity loan may be right for you: You may be able to deduct your interest expense on your taxes, just like your mortgage 2 The closing cost is typically lower than refinancing your first mortgage You may be able to borrow against the available equity in your home, up to 80% of the value of your homestead property 3 You may be able to borrow up to 100% of the available equity in your non-homestead property Features of a Wachovia home equity loan include: Up to 30-year terms 4 $8,000 minimum loan amount Up to $750,000 for loan requests to access equity Up to $250,000 for purchase requests The links below can also help you make a more informed decision and show you how the application process works. Texas Home Equity Comparison Chart How to Use the Equity in Your Home Understanding the Application Process Email This Page Printer Friendly Version 1 While consolidation may decrease your overall monthly payment obligations, refinancing pre-existing debt with a home equity loan/line will require you to give Wachovia a security interest in your home and may increase the total number of monthly debt payments, as well as the aggregate amount paid by a borrower over the term of the mortgage loan. Debt consolidation restrictions may apply. 2 Consult your tax advisor concerning interest deductibility. 3 Line amounts are based upon collateral value, creditworthiness and state maximum loan to value limitations. In accordance with state law, the maximum combined loan to value may not exceed 80% of the fair market value of your homestead property. 4 For example, repayment of a 30 year home equity loan would consist of 360 monthly payments of $6.42/$1,000 borrowed at 6.59% APR. The disclosed APR assumes that the borrower will pay 1% at the time of origination. The maximum loan amount for this offer is $750,000. If you pay off your loan early, there may be a prepayment penalty. You will be responsible for the cost of any mortgage recording or other taxes where applicable. Term of up to 360 months available on loan amounts greater than $35,000. Other rates and terms available. All loans and lines of credit are subject to credit approval, verification, and collateral evaluation. Initial decision is subject to your meeting specific underwriting requirements and final approval will be based upon your satisfying those requirements. Loans originated by Wachovia Mortgage Corporation or Wachovia Bank, National Association. Products not available in all states and are subject to change without notice. Member FDIC Personal Finance Login Home Equity Loans Contact Us Home Equity Loans Locations ATM/Branch Locations Related Links Loan Payment Calculator Loan Amount Estimator Customer Satisfaction Rating Personal Finance Customer Service Personal Finance Contacts Personal Finance FAQs Site Map Glossary Search Text Only About Wachovia | Privacy | Security | Legal | Merger © 2005 Wachovia Corporation. All rights reserved.

Buy Home

Welcome to Lightsite.net ENERGY STAR ® in the News What's going on with E NERGY S TAR ® in your community? Stay informed through stories from regional news clippings , energy newsbriefs from CON.WEB , and the U.S. EPA E NERGY S TAR ® News Room . NEWS ARTICLES CFL Sales Looking Bright, Even After Post-Energy Crisis Dip Customers Put a Spotlight on Energy Conservation Northwest Leads the Nation in Energy Savings Effort National Leader Whitman Accepts Charles H. Percy Award For the E NERGY S TAR ® Program E NERGY S TAR ® Helps America Keep Cool This Summer Regional News Clippings Each month the E NERGY S TAR ® Lighting Program features Northwest regional news stories about energy-efficiency from local papers. CFL Sales Looking Bright, Even After Post-Energy Crisis Dip Jim DiPeso for Con.Web Compact fluorescent lamps are holding on to an expanded beachhead in theresidential lighting market, even as recent sales have dipped from theirextraordinary high during the 2000-01 energy crisis, according to NorthwestEnergy Efficiency Alliance reports and industry observers. With energy off the front pages, ongoing consumer interest in reducingelectricity bills is likely to continue supporting CFL sales, the Alliancereported in a market evaluation study prepared by ECONorthwest in 2002. CFL bulb prices have fallen by about two-thirds since 1997, which isattracting more consumers, according to Costco, the region's leading CFL retailer. Increasing manufacturere interest in CFLs also is evident. CFLs, however, still account for a small share of the residential lightingmarket, and sustained high sales will be necessary to transform thehousehold lighting market, the market evaluation study reported. Even at the height of the energy crisis, with power shortages on the frontpages and a compact fluorescent discount coupon campaign in full swing, CFLsaccounted for only 11 percent of total Northwest light bulb sales, the studynoted. Fewer than 40 percent of households purchased even one CFL. Cost is still a significant barrier to expanded CFL sales. Quality alsoremains a concern, despite improvements "The product appears to be viable for some people for some applications,"said Ken Keating, Bonneville Power Administration market transformationcoordinator and Alliance board member. "Long term, there is still a lot moreenergy efficiency to be acquired in lighting. This is still a blip," Keatingsaid. Compact fluorescent market still small, but looking brighter. (Continuation from Home page) CFL Sales Down ... But Still Up Northwest sales of compact fluorescent bulbs are running at about 4 millionunits per year, said Marci Sanders, the Alliances residential lightingprogram coordinator. While sales have fallen from the estimated 6.7 millionsnapped up in the region during 2001, the volume is substantially higherthan the estimated 381,000 sold in 2000, according to Alliance figures. (Inaddition to the 6.7 million bulbs sold in 2001, utilities gave away anadditional 1.6 million that year, according to the market evaluation study.) The Alliance had expected 2002 CFL sales to reach 2.5 million, but an autumnbuying surge helped push the volume to 4 million, Sanders told the Allianceboard April 30. Northwest lighting sales typically rise in the fall, asdaylight noticeably diminishes. In addition, a national Energy Star CFLpromotion, Change a Light, was in full swing, Sanders said. Since 1997 the Alliance has sponsored a residential lighting program toboost sales of compact fluorescent lights and fixtures. Between 1997 and2000, manufacturers were given incentives through the compact fluorescentfixture and bulb programs to increase availability of CFLs and reduceprices, according to the market evaluation study. In 2000, the studycontinued, the programs were combined into one and revamped to emphasizemarketing partnerships with retailers and to support only EnergyStar-certified bulbs and fixtures. More than 1,000 Northwest retailers haveparticipated in CFL marketing activities. Nearly 90 utilities participated in a CFL coupon campaign funded by BPA andutilities during the boom year of 2001. Coupons accounted for nearly 40percent of CFL sales that year. The market evaluation study found evidence CFL sales can be sustainedwithout coupons. In a 2001 survey of 1,421 Northwest consumers (included inthe market evaluation study), 94 percent of respondents who had purchased aCFL said they would buy another even if coupons were unavailable. Sanders estimated that 75 percent to 80 percent of CFLs sold in 2002 werepurchased without coupons. "That is a very good sign," she said. The survey sample included 246 people who had purchased a CFL, 38 who hadreceived free CFLs from utilities, 316 who had purchased only incandescentbulbs in the three months preceding the survey, and 821 who were questionedabout CFL awareness. Another sign of market sustainability, the survey said, were the futureintentions of respondents who had purchased only incandescent bulbs. "Moresurprisingly, 64 percent of incandescent buyers indicated they intend topurchase a CFL in the next year. This is a strong potential indication ofthe sustainability of future CFL sales," the survey said. Efficiency Opportunity If so, there will be plenty of opportunity for CFLs to improve residentiallighting efficiency. The medium load forecast for the Northwest PowerPlanning Councils upcoming regional plan estimates that cost-effectiveresidential lighting efficiency potential will total an estimated 660average megawatts by 2025, said Tom Eckman, the councils conservationresources manager. Existing housing stock accounts for about 80 percent ofthat prospective resource, he added. That potential number doubled following a lighting log study carried out in160 homes by Tacoma Power, Eugene Water & Electric Board and other utilitiesin the late 1990s, Eckman said. The study found that homes have morelighting fixtures than previously thought and lights are being left onlonger. "We had an empirical basis to do a better forecast," Eckman noted. Falling Prices The consumer survey showed saving energy was the leading reason whyNorthwesterners bought CFLs in 2001. Even though energy no longer headlines the news, CFL energy savings remainattractive and falling product prices have helped the products hold theirown in the market, said Collin Cremo, assistant general manager for CostcosU.S. hardware purchasing division. "Pricing is going down and that is very positive for the consumer. You usedto pay $15.99 for a two-pack of bulbs. Now, you can get a four-pack for$11.99," Cremo said. The Alliance estimates average prices fell from $14-$28 per bulb in 1997 to$5-$10 in 2002. Large retailers such as Costco and Home Depot have led the market inoffering multibulb packages that have driven down prices, Sanders said.These two major retailers account for a significant share of Northwestsales, she said. In the consumer survey, 38 percent of CFL buyers indicated they hadpurchased the bulbs at a discount retailer. However, 35 percent said theynormally buy light bulbs at grocery stores, an indicator that supermarketscould be "an important retail target for increasing market penetration," thesurvey said. Manufacturer Interest The growing consumer interest in CFLs has attracted an influx ofmanufacturers to the market. Sanders said only 10 percent of the CFLs purchased in 2002 were made by thethree big multiproduct lighting companies--Philips, Osram Sylvania, and GE.Smaller manufacturers that sell only CFLs "are getting (shelf) placementwith better pricing because they are willing to cut deals with retailers,"Sanders said. Another reason CFLs are holding their own is the introduction of new bulbdesigns to suit consumer tastes. Keating said manufacturers are "responding to customer demands for productsthat fit in different applications. You can get bug lights, chandelierlights, recessed can lights, even green and red CFLs for holiday use. Youcan get really small ones. I have one that measures no more than 4 inchesfrom stem to stern." Keating said manufacturers understand they cant compete solely on price."They need to give customers something they can use." For example, consumers have asked for smaller bulbs, to which manufacturershave responded, said Matt Donati, CFL product manager for Philips Lightingin the U.S. "We sell eight-packs of 60-watt-equivalent lights that are small enough forlight bars in bathrooms," Cremo said. Donati believes consumers will be more receptive to CFLs that fit their ideaof what light bulbs are supposed to look like. "The key is to try to makethem as incandescent-appearing as possible," Donati said. "People see thespiral shape and it looks like curly fries. They ask, Whats that? If yougive them a bulb that looks more like a, quote, light bulb, they will bemore appealing." Philips Marathon family of compact fluorescents includes globe-like"A-shaped" bulbs that resemble incandescents, as well as conventionallydesigned CFLs. Sanders said Westinghouse plans to launch a "designer bulb" in differentcolors that will be specially suited to accent lighting typically providedby small halogen incandescent lights. Quality Issues Quality, however, remains a bugaboo afflicting the CFL market, Keating said.Despite continuing improvements, enough low-quality bulbs are on the marketthat the U.S. Department of Energy is concerned they reflect poorly on theEnergy Star label for energy-efficient consumer products, Keating said. Energy Star is a self-certification brand, so manufacturers are responsiblefor ensuring their products meet Energy Star standards. Unlike the applianceindustry, the residential lighting industry has not developed internaltesting protocols to make sure products are worthy of the Energy Star label,according to the Alliance. DOE has proposed changing Energy Star specifications to require CFLmanufacturers to submit long-term performance data before they can use theEnergy Star label. As a result of quality issues, the Program for the Evaluation and Analysisfor Residential Lighting (PEARL) has tested bulbs for quality since 2000.PEARL sponsors include BPA, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, PacificGas & Electric and energy efficiency utilities in the Northeast. Here is how PEARL works, according to a presentation at an Energy Starmeeting this year by Noah Horowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council,chairman of the PEARL advisory board. Bulbs are purchased anonymously fromretail stores. Bulbs and ballasts are tested at Rensselaer PolytechnicUniversitys Lighting Research Center. Tests cover lighting and ballastperformance, lamp life, lamp start time, dimming, color rendition, powerfactor and other characteristics. Two testing cycles are carried out peryear. Ten fixtures and 20 CFL products are tested in each cycle. Horowitz said test results are given to Energy Star program managers at theDepartment of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. The agencies canuse the information to remove the Energy Star label from substandardproducts. The recent growth in the CFL market "has attracted many new, unknown, and insome cases, unreliable manufacturers offering products with the Energy Starlabel," said an article about PEARL in a recent Alliance newsletter. Keating said PEARL is negotiating with manufacturers, distributors andretailers to share testing costs. "They want to get the bad products out ofthe market," he said. Costcos Cremo said "stricter tests" are needed to determine how well CFLsreally hold up when used in real-world environments such as inside fixtures.In comments on DOEs proposed Energy Star specification changes, NRDCpointed out that higher operating temperatures common in recessed canfixtures can shorten bulb life. NRDC also pointed out that CFL manufacturersoften change contract manufacturers and component suppliers, which canresult in uneven quality. Still, Keating said compact fluorescents have come a long way since the late1980s, when ungainly bulbs dominated what was then a tiny CFL market.Keating chuckled as he recalled a brand he nicknamed "Smoky Joes" because ofa bulb that overheated and began smoldering. In the consumer survey, only 3 percent to 4 percent of CFL buyers indicatedthey were dissatisfied with their purchases, and 78 percent of thedissatisfied indicated they were likely to buy another CFL in the comingyear. The leading reason for dissatisfaction, cited by 34 percent of thosenot satisfied, was that CFLs were not bright enough. Eleven percent citedearly burnout. Nearly 55 percent of CFL buyers who were satisfied with their purchaseslisted long product life as the leading reason for their satisfaction.Thirty-six percent cited energy efficiency, while 31 percent mentioned lightquality. CFL Barriers Cost remains the leading barrier to expanded CFL sales, according to theconsumer survey. Of the 316 respondents who had purchased incandescent bulbsonly, 38 percent listed price as a reason they had not purchased CFLs.Nineteen percent had not heard of CFLs, while 15 percent said they could notfind a type or size they wanted. One way around the price barrier, Philips Donati said, is to change theidentity of light bulbs from a commodity to a value product by educatingconsumers about the varying ways different kinds of lighting can be used todecorate their homes. "Show them how lighting adds value and how lightingcan be used to change the look of their homes," Donati said. He advocated expanded awareness of CFLs and their attributes. "I do the momtest," Donati said. "I show my mom a CFL and ask her, Whats this? Shedoesnt know. I say, Come on, mom, its a light bulb, I work for PhilipsLighting. People just arent as aware of them." In a May 2002 report, ECOS Consulting described barriers to CFLs in new homeconstruction. At least 11 parties--few with lighting design expertise--maybe involved in specifying new home lighting. Most new home energy efficiencyprograms do not address optimizing lighting or architectural designs thatcomplement daylighting, the report said. Home-buyers rank style and aesthetics as their highest lighting priority,ECOS said. "The more that energy-efficient lighting is designed to beattractive and aesthetic, the more marketable and permanent it will be, evenif this means giving up some potential energy savings to ensure consumersatisfaction," the report said. Lower prices, better quality, and expanded consumer awareness all will bekeys to building the CFL market, Keating said, observing that markettransformation often takes time. Costcos Cremo is confident CFLs eventually will replace incandescentsentirely. "From what Ive seen of the (CFL) technology lately, theincandescents days are numbered," he said. "I tell utilities to keepbombarding people with CFL information. Theyre going to get better andbetter." Reprinted with the permission from Con.Web. Back to Top Customers Put a Spotlight on Energy Conservation Scappoose Spotlight/Record-Journal As CFLs grow in popularity, the Northwest looks ahead to big energy savings and bulb recycling options... Now that North westerners have embraced compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), a decrease is on the rise in our regions energy use. Think about it! Approximately 6.5 million E NERGY S TAR ® CFLs alone were sold in only four states; Montana, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Over 1,400 northwest retailers and 90 electric utilities participated in last years E NERGY S TAR ® Residential Lighting Program; the Northwest region is leading the charge! If you take that number and compare it with the 381,000 CFLs that were sold in 2000, you can now understand the impact and change, which these CFLs have had on the consumers home lighting needs. Not only do CFLs save the environment by using less electricity, consumers will save up to $30 over the life of the bulb on their monthly electric bills. "The success of the E NERGY S TAR ® residential lighting program reminds us that together we can provide big energy savings, improve the health of our region's electric system and help protect the environment," said Margaret Gardner of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. According to the NW Energy Efficiency Alliance, not only will savings be multiplied if every household replaces every ordinary light bulb with a CRL, but combined with other energy-saving products such as; clothes washers, refrigerators and home electronics their savings will be tremendous! The Alliance estimates that this and other regional programs will save over 460 aMW by 2010, enough to offset the need for building two new power plants in the NW region and taking approximately 600,000 cars off the road! Proper disposal of CFLs have been on the minds of many environmentalists for quite sometime. Currently, the Zero Waste Alliance, electric utilities and other environmental groups are working together researching opportunities for recycling. Although, CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury vapor, many environmentalists are concerned about recycling and proper disposal of CFLs. Their main concern is in 5 to 7 years from now, when the life of the CFL begins to fade. They want to encourage communities about proper disposal now, before large accumulations of CFLs end up in landfills. For the time being consumers can dispose of their CFLs with their household trash, along with other household materials such as paint, motor oil or batteries. Reprinted with permission from the Lynden Tribune/Record-Journal. Back to Top Northwest Leads the Nation in Energy Savings Effort Lynden Tribune/Record-Journal When it comes to buying more energy-efficient household products, the Northwest region is leading the charge. According to a recent report from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Washington home owners are snapping up energy-efficient products and local retailers are experiencing the impact. In response, BPA residential customers got to work, conserving. Among other things the customers installed millions of low-energy, fluorescent light bulbs. The bigger message here? Big energy savings do not necessarily have to come from big industrial users. People, individual users in their homes, are a very important part of the environmental equation. " Nearly 80% of respondents in a survey of 152 independent and national retailers in the Northwest estimate an increase in sales of E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products over last year, the Alliance report said. Fourth quarter of 2001 sales data shows that the Northwest region ranked first in the nation for sales of qualified clothes washers with more than 30 percent market share. In Washington, nearly 32 percent of all clothes washers sold were E NERGY S TAR ® qualified - the second highest in the nation. "We're seeing a lot of interest from customers in E NERGY S TAR ® qualified clothes washers and that's sparking interest in other energy-efficient products, including dishwashers and refrigerators," said Dave Blankenship of Weir's Appliances in Tacoma. "As people replace home appliances, they're opting for the most energy-efficient models available." Sales of E NERGY S TAR ® qualified refrigerators also increased in the Northwest. Based on fourth quarter reports, Washington ranks sixth in the nation for sales of high efficiency refrigerators. The alliance also reported brisk sales and interest for E NERGY S TAR ® qualified lighting including compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Fourth quarter sales of CFLs in the Northwest were two million. The retailers who were surveyed said consumers are more energy conscious and seek long-term value and savings when purchasing appliances. Nearly all consumers express interest in the water savings features of E NERGY S TAR ® qualified clothes washers and dishwashers as well. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, when it comes to buying energy-efficient products, the Northwest is heading in the right direction. The voluntary E NERGY S TAR ® labeling program was created by the EPA and the Department of Energy to help consumers easily identify products that save energy, money and protect the environment. Manufactures play a major role in developing products that meet higher efficiency standards and utilities help encourage homeowners to be more energy efficient by offering rebates and incentives for switching to E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products. The cooperative effort is paying off. Experts estimate by using E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products, a typical household can cut its utility bills by 30 percent. If everyone in the U.S. used the products, the reduction in greenhouse gas emission would be equivalent to taking 14.5 million cars off the road each year. The national annual energy bill would be reduced by about $100 billion over the next decade. Local efficiency advocates say that while the increasing demand for E NERGY S TAR ® qualified clothes washers and refrigerators is a positive sign, there is still room for improvement. "It's clear that Northwest consumers understand the benefit of using more efficient clothes washer, refrigerators and lighting in their homes," said Margaret Gardner, executive director of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. "Now, the goal is to encourage them to take advantage of even greater savings by looking for and buying other E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products." By changing their shopping habits, Northwest homeowners can keep a little more change in their own pockets, say energy efficiency experts. Changing the way Americans shop and buy products is a part of the major new campaign called "Change," spearheaded by the Environmental Protection Agency. "Change" is calling on homeowners throughout the nation to help save money ad protect the environment by selecting and buying E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products. For a complete list of E NERGY S TAR ® qualified products, retailers, manufactures and energy savings information, call 1-888-373-2283 or log on to www.energystar.gov . The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, a non-profit group of electric utilities, state governments, public interest groups and industry representatives, promotes the E NERGY S TAR ® label to Northwest consumers. By funding the Northwest E NERGY S TAR ® Home Products Program, the alliance is bringing affordable, energy-efficient products and services to the market, helping Northwest consumers realize long-term savings and protect the environment. Reprinted with permission from the Lynden Tribune/Record-Journal. Back to Top Energy Newsbriefs at CON.WEB CONWEB is the Pacific Northwest Energy Conservation & Renewable Energy Newsletter, reporting regional conservation news. National Leader ACEEE Study Lauds Oregon for Energy Efficiency, Green Building Tax Incentives Oregon is a national leader in using tax incentives to give energy-efficient products and green buildings a leg up in the marketplace, according to a new study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Oregon's residential and business income tax credit programs have "gained enthusiastic support from legislators, retailers, and manufacturers, as well as consumers," since they were established in response to the 1970s energy shortages, the study said. More news available at www.newsdata.com/enernet/conweb/conweb.html . Back to Top U.S. EPA E NERGY S TAR ® News Room E NERGY S TAR ® provides consumers with energy-efficient solutions that save money while protecting the environment for future generations. Find out what the media is saying about E NERGY S TAR ® at www.epa.gov/nrgystar/news.html Whitman Accepts Charles H. Percy Award For the E NERGY S TAR ® Program October 9, 2002 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman todaywas presented with the Charles H. Percy Award for public service by theAlliance to Save Energy. This award was given to EPA for establishing theE NERGY S TAR ® program, a public-private partnership that helps protect theenvironment while saving consumers money through energy efficiency. "Over the past decade, EPA's E NERGY S TAR ® program has grown from a voluntarycomputer labeling program to a partnership with over 7000 organizations,"said Whitman. "Last year alone, Americans, with the help of E NERGY S TAR ®,saved more than $5 billion in energy costs and reduced pollution equivalentto that of 10 million cars. We look forward to working together for the nextdecade to help consumers across the country have the information they needto make the best choices for their lives and for the environment." "In just a decade, the E NERGY S TAR ® program has grown in both depth andbreadth," said Alliance to Save Energy President David M. Nemtzow. "Now, notonly are many more products included in the program than at its launch in1992, but in addition, the E NERGY S TAR ® label is taking the energy efficiencymessage to consumers and businesses around the globe via partnerships withother governments. You can't get much better than a program that both savesconsumers money and protects the environment." Through the E NERGY S TAR ® program, EPA partnerships include over 1,200manufacturers labeling more than 13,000 products and over 1,600 buildersthat have constructed over 57,000 new homes. Through E NERGY S TAR ®, EPA hasalso helped thousands of businesses and schools rate their energy use. The typical American household spends about $1,300 a year on its energybills. By purchasing products that have earned EPA's E NERGY S TAR ® label,that bill could be cut by about 30 percent, which is a savings of about $400a year. The E NERGY S TAR ® label can now be found on more than 35 differentcategories including telephones, televisions, light bulbs and homeappliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators. By choosing E NERGY S TAR ®,there is no sacrifice in the features, style or comfort that today'sconsumers expect. As part of his National Energy Plan, President Bush called for increasedpublic awareness of the E NERGY S TAR ® program and its benefits to consumersand businesses. The President also called for the expansion of the programto provide the label for additional building types including grocery stores,hospitals and hotels. EPA established E NERGY S TAR ® in 1992 to offer energy-saving andpollution-preventing solutions for consumers and businesses by awardinglabels to the most energy efficient products, homes and buildings. EPApartnered with the U.S. Department of Energy in 1996 to promote the ENERGYSTAR label, with each agency taking responsibility for particular productcategories. For more information about the E NERGY S TAR ® program visit: www.energystar.gov . Back to Top E NERGY S TAR ® Helps America Keep Cool This Summer Cooling Solutions that Save Energy, Money, and Protect the Environment Homeowners across the nation have been challenged by E NERGY S TAR ®, a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and supported by the Department of Energy, to make smart cooling choices at home this summer, use energy more efficiently, and help reduce air pollution. Working closely with businesses and utilities, E NERGY S TAR ® launched a consumer-education campaign, called Cool Change. This campaign raises American's awareness of their cooling system - encouraging homeowners to use energy-efficient equipment, tightly seal their ducts, properly maintain their cooling system, and have a well-sealed and insulated home. According to the EPA, Americans spend as much as half of their energy bills to cool and heat their homes throughout the year. To make it easy for consumers to make a Cool Change this summer, E NERGY S TAR ®'s partners are offering incentives, such as rebates and sales. For a complete list of special deals, visit www.energystar.gov/coolchange . "E NERGY S TAR ® is a great way for each of us to make a change - one that will protect the environment, save money, and achieve energy efficiency," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "I encourage all Americans to follow our recommendations for energy efficiency and join our campaign for change." The EPA estimates that if just one household in 10 participated in Cool Change and used E NERGY S TAR ® labeled heating and cooling products, the change would reduce electricity production enough to keep 17 billion pounds of pollution out of the air this year. To help consumers identify easy ways to avoid energy-waste this summer, the EPA released the following tips: Out with the old, in with the new. If your central air conditioning equipment is more than 10 years old, it is probably time for a replacement - new cooling equipment that has earned the E NERGY S TAR ® label can keep you just as or more comfortable, while using 25 to 40 percent less energy than 10-year-old models. Replacing old ceiling fans and dehumidifiers with new E NERGY S TAR ® labeled models can also help to lower your energy bills and keep your home comfortable. Seal it up. Seal your ducts to distribute cool air where it needs to go and improve the indoor air quality of your home. Keep the cool air in by adding insulation to your home, weather-stripping and caulking, and choosing E NERGY S TAR ® labeled windows when replacing old windows. Make a smart purchase. When replacing central and room air conditioning equipment, make sure it is properly sized and installed. Bigger is not always better, and equipment that is too large can lead to high energy costs and reduced comfort. Find problems before they occur. If your cooling equipment needs frequent repairs and your bills are increasing, it could mean your equipment is becoming less efficient. E NERGY S TAR ® recommends having an annual maintenance check-up by a certified professional. Put your home to the test. Find out how you can make energy-efficient improvements to your home with the Home Improvement Toolbox. Visit www.energystar.gov and click on "Put your home to the test." E NERGY S TAR ®, the nation's symbol for energy efficiency, enables consumers to easily identify energy-efficient appliances, electronics, office equipment, lighting, heating and cooling equipment, buildings, and even new homes. For more information about E NERGY S TAR ® and the Cool Change consumer-education campaign, visit www.energystar.gov/coolchange or call 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937). FOR MORE INFORMATION: Wendy Reed, 202-564-1253, or email her at Reed.Wendy@epa.gov or Phillip Hayes, 202-944-1933. Back to Top What is E NERGY S TAR ® ? E NERGY S TAR ®-qualified bulbs and fixtures provide high quality light output,warm or cool tones, are efficient and long-lasting, and save them money overthe life of the bulb or fixture. There are numerous compact fluorescentlights (CFLs) in the market, but only E NERGY S TAR ® qualified CFLs canguarantee top-notch performance. E NERGY S TAR ® CFLs last up to ten timeslonger than incandescent bulbs and use up to 75% less electricity as well. E NERGY S TAR ® was introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promoteenergy-efficient products, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. EPApartnered with the US Department of Energy in 1996 to promote the E NERGY S TAR ®label, with each agency taking responsibility for particular productcategories. E NERGY S TAR ® has expanded to cover new homes, most of thebuildings sector, residential heating and cooling equipment, majorappliances, office equipment, lighting, consumer electronics, and moreproduct areas. Please visit www.energystar.gov .